BEIJING, China, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Former Chinese national team coach Bora Milutinovic has been hired as a youth training consultant by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) on Thursday.

Milutinovic, who led China's to its only World Cup finals campaign in 2002 in South Korea and Japan, said he was glad to return to China and contribute to the training of young Chinese footballers.

"I am excited that the CFA made youth development a key part of its work, because youth players are the cornerstone of improving the level of football. The CFA has already got some accomplishment in youth development with an international outlook." said the 73-year-old Serbian.

CFA senior official Du Zhaocai welcomed Milutinovic on behalf of the CFA. "Milutinovic is familiar with Chinese football and the culture of China. We hope he can use this [to his] advantage to assist in the improvement of youth training and [to] find more talented players for the future of Chinese football," Du said.

Milutinovic is a FIFA World Cup veteran; he has led five different countries, including Mexico, Costa Rica, Nigeria, China and the United States to the World Cup finals.